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Mets’ Juan Soto reflects on hitting game-ending homer in Dominican Republic’s win over Netherlands Juan Soto of the New York Mets took pride in his game-winning home run during the Dominican Republic’s victory over the Netherlands in an international exhibition match. The moment, which secured a crucial win for his national team, marked a significant milestone in Soto’s career. Speaking about the achievement, Soto described it as “one of the most important and beautiful times in my career,” highlighting the emotional weight of the moment. The home run came in a pivotal moment of the game, with the Dominican Republic trailing in the late innings. Soto’s clutch hit not only tied the game but ultimately propelled his team to victory. The win was particularly meaningful for the Dominican Republic, as it showcased their competitive spirit on the global stage. Soto’s performance underscored his ability to deliver under pressure, a trait that has defined his career in Major League Baseball. Soto’s reflection on the moment emphasized the blend of personal achievement and team success. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country and the pride that comes with contributing to a collective victory. The game also served as a platform for Soto to connect with fans and teammates, reinforcing the camaraderie that defines international competition. The Dominican Republic’s win over the Netherlands was a testament to the team’s preparation and resilience. Soto’s home run became a focal point of the celebration, symbolizing the blend of skill, strategy, and determination that characterized the match. For Soto, the moment was a reminder of the impact athletes can have beyond the field, inspiring fans and fellow players alike.#netherlands #dominican_republic #juan_soto #new_york_mets #international_exhibition_match

Buffalo’s Roster Shakeup: Bills Release Four as $22M Cap Deficit Looms The Buffalo Bills have made four roster cuts to address their salary cap situation ahead of the new league year, creating $12.1 million in cap space. Bills president and general manager Brandon Beane announced the moves on Friday, releasing veteran cornerback Taron Johnson, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, safety Taylor Rapp, and cornerback Dane Jackson. Despite these cuts, the team remains approximately $22 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million salary cap limit. Beane’s decision to part ways with Johnson, a longtime starting nickel cornerback, aligns with the team’s strategic shift under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Johnson, a 2018 fourth-round pick, is best known for his iconic interception of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the 2020 divisional round playoff game, a play that culminated in a touchdown from out of his own end zone. While the Bills explored potential changes to Johnson’s role, including a possible move to safety, Beane emphasized that all options were still on the table. “Nothing’s off the table,” Beane said, noting Johnson’s value as a “good football player.” Rapp, who started 24 games over the past three seasons, joined the Bills as a free agent from the Los Angeles Rams. He took over the starting safety role after Micah Hyde’s retirement and Jordan Poyer’s brief stint with the Miami Dolphins. However, Rapp’s 2025 season was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, limiting him to just six games. Samuel, a three-year team member signed in 2024 to reunite with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, struggled with recurring injuries and played in only six games last season. He caught seven passes for 81 yards and one touchdown, far below expectations.#buffalo_bills #jim_leonhard #taron_johnson #brandon_beane #micah_hyde

Raiders Acquire Bills' Taron Johnson in Trade The Las Vegas Raiders have completed a trade to acquire cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills, preventing him from becoming a free agent. The deal was finalized ahead of the NFL's trade deadline, with the Bills receiving a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Johnson’s services. The Raiders, who had been monitoring the situation, stepped in to secure the veteran defender before he could enter the open market. Johnson, a 29-year-old cornerback, spent his entire NFL career with the Bills after being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. Over his tenure with Buffalo, he made 113 regular-season appearances, including 87 starts. His performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-Pro list in 2023, highlighting his impact on the field. The trade includes financial terms tied to Johnson’s contract, which runs through the 2027 season. For the 2026 season, he is scheduled to earn a base salary of $8.1 million. Additionally, Johnson received a $150,000 workout bonus and a total of $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses. These incentives are part of the compensation package negotiated as part of the trade agreement. The transaction is set to become official on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with the start of the new NFL league year. This move underscores the Raiders’ commitment to strengthening their defensive roster, while the Bills aim to manage their cap space and rebuild their secondary. Johnson’s arrival in Las Vegas is expected to provide immediate depth and experience to the Raiders’ defense, which has been a focal point of their recent roster adjustments.#trade_deadline #buffalo_bills #taron_johnson #las_vegas_raiders #nfl

Buffalo Bills release longtime CB Taron Johnson, three others ahead of free agency The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday, March 6, that they have released cornerback Taron Johnson, safety Taylor Rapp, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, and cornerback Dane Jackson. The moves come as the team prepares for the upcoming free agency period. Johnson, who spent eight seasons with the Bills, concluded his tenure in 2025 after playing in 13 regular season games and making eight starts. During the 2025 season, he recorded 57 tackles, four passes defensed, and one tackle for loss. Over his entire career with the Bills, Johnson amassed 572 tackles, 48 passes defensed, 23 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, six interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. He developed into one of the league’s top nickel cornerbacks, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. Johnson is also remembered for a standout defensive play in Bills history, a 101-yard interception return against the Ravens in the 2020-21 NFL Playoffs. The Bills selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 121st overall, and he appeared in 113 games with 87 starts over his eight seasons. Rapp, who joined the Bills in 2023 after spending three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, played 36 games for the team, including 24 starts. Over his time with Buffalo, he tallied 158 tackles, eight passes defensed, three interceptions, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hit, and a half-sack. His career with the Bills was impacted by a lingering knee injury, which led to his placement on injured reserve on October 24, 2025. Despite the injury, Rapp started six games in 2025, recording 26 tackles.#buffalo_bills #taron_johnson #taylor_rapp #curtis_samuel #dane_jackson

World Baseball Classic Games in Miami: Full Schedule and Venues The 2026 World Baseball Classic will feature games in Miami as part of its global tournament structure. LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, will host Pool D games and knockout-round matches. The tournament, which began on March 4 and runs through March 17, includes four host cities: Tokyo, Japan; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami. In Miami, the World Baseball Classic will host Pool D games, with a total of 10 matches scheduled from March 6 to March 10. The matchups include: March 6: Netherlands vs. Venezuela; Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic March 7: Nicaragua vs. Netherlands; Israel vs. Venezuela March 8: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic; Nicaragua vs. Israel March 9: Dominican Republic vs. Israel; Venezuela vs. Nicaragua March 10: Israel vs. Netherlands; Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Knockout-round games will take place in both Miami and Houston. The schedule for Miami includes: March 13: Quarterfinal 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET March 14: Quarterfinal 4 at 9 p.m. ET March 15: Semifinal 1 at 8 p.m. ET March 16: Semifinal 2 at 8 p.m. ET March 17: Final at 8 p.m. ET The Miami venue will serve as a key location for the tournament, with fans from around the world expected to attend the games. The event will showcase international competition, with teams from diverse regions vying for the championship title.#loandepot_park #world_baseball_classic #tokyo #miami_marlins #san_juan

2026 World Baseball Classic predictions: Will USA win it all? The 2026 World Baseball Classic, set to begin after a three-year hiatus, has sparked intense speculation about which teams will dominate the tournament. Following Japan’s 2023 victory over the United States, the 20-team event has drawn attention to the potential for a repeat of that historic matchup. ESPN’s baseball experts have weighed in on the tournament’s likely progression, focusing on which teams will advance from each pool, the final championship showdown, and standout performers. In Pool A, Puerto Rico and Canada are the top contenders, with Puerto Rico receiving the most votes as the winner. Experts believe both teams will advance to the quarterfinals, citing Puerto Rico’s roster of MLB stars like Nolan Arenado, Edwin Diaz, and Seth Lugo. Canada, despite being an emerging force, is expected to make a strong push. Colombia and Cuba are also predicted to advance, though with less confidence. Pool B features the United States as the overwhelming favorite, with 14 of 15 experts selecting the team to advance. The U.S. roster includes elite players like Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Cristopher Sanchez, making them a formidable squad. Italy is the second-most likely team to advance, with some experts predicting it could edge out Mexico for the second quarterfinal spot. Mexico’s MLB talent, including players like José Abreu and José Ramírez, gives it a strong chance, but Italy’s depth and international experience may give it an edge. In Pool C, Japan is the clear favorite, with 14 of 15 experts picking the team to win. The Japanese squad, led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is considered one of the most stacked in the tournament.#japan #united_states #world_baseball_classic #puerto_rico #canada

NBA All-Stars Who Are Struggling Since The Break: Is Wemby Hurting His MVP Chances? The NBA season’s second half has brought a sharp focus on player performance as teams gear up for playoff contention. After the All-Star break, the number of games remaining has tightened, making inconsistent performances more impactful. Among the league’s top stars, several have faced challenges in maintaining their pre-break form, with Victor Wembanyama’s recent struggles sparking debate over his MVP prospects. Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ star forward, remains a top contender for the Kia MVP Award, sitting at No. 4 on the league’s ladder. His season averages—23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks—still reflect elite production. However, his post-break performance has drawn scrutiny. Over his last six games, his scoring output has dipped to 19.2 points per contest, despite maintaining strong defensive impact. This decline has raised questions about his ability to sustain peak efficiency as the season enters its final stretch. The Spurs’ success in February has provided context for Wembanyama’s performance. The team’s 11-0 record in the month has kept them in the race for the No. 1 seed, with a three-game cushion over the Thunder. Team success often bolsters MVP cases, even when individual box scores fluctuate. Wembanyama’s pre-break numbers were stellar: 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks, with a 51.1% field goal clip and 36.3% three-point accuracy. Post-break, his shooting efficiency has dropped to 42.7% from the field and 19.4% from three, though his defensive contributions have grown. The key issue for Wembanyama has been his shooting accuracy, particularly from beyond the arc. Despite maintaining a high volume of three-point attempts (5.#donovan_mitchell #san_antonio_spurs #victor_wembanyama #kia_mvp_award #nba_all_stars

Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson Unveils Playoffs Strategy with Victor Wembanyama With fewer than 20 regular-season games remaining, San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson may have unveiled a pivotal playoff strategy centered around Victor Wembanyama. The team’s star player has been carefully managed throughout the season, but recent actions suggest a shift in approach. During a matchup against the Detroit Pistons, Johnson allowed Wembanyama to play 40 minutes, resulting in a dominant performance: 38 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks. This decision highlights a potential game plan to maximize Wembanyama’s impact in the postseason. The Spurs have historically limited Wembanyama’s minutes to balance his workload and reduce injury risks, relying on players like Luke Kornet to share the offensive load. However, statistical analysis reveals Wembanyama’s efficiency when given full minutes. Per 36 minutes, he averages 29.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks—numbers that underscore his value in extended play. Transitioning from an average of 29.4 minutes per game in the regular season to 36 minutes in the playoffs could provide a significant edge for the Spurs. San Antonio is already positioned for a strong postseason, with a projected 59-win season, a top-10 offense, and a top-3 defense. The team’s current structure allows for flexibility in managing Wembanyama’s minutes, especially with the NBA playoffs’ scheduling gaps between games. This flexibility means Johnson can strategically increase Wembanyama’s workload without jeopardizing his health. The most critical matchup could come against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has struggled to score against Wembanyama even under minutes restrictions.#spurs #mitch_johnson #victor_wembanyama #oklahoma_city_thunder #luk_kornet

Cobolli will seek his first title in Acapulco Flavio Cobolli, the 20th-ranked Italian tennis player and fifth seed at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, advanced to his first final on the ATP tour after defeating Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in a closely contested three-set match. The victory, secured with a score of 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4, marks Cobolli’s fourth ATP final and his second on hard court, a surface where he has previously shown strong performance. The match, which lasted two hours and 26 minutes, will now set the stage for his pursuit of his first title in Acapulco. The first set proved to be a battle of endurance and precision. Cobolli took an early 5-4 lead, but Kecmanovic capitalized on the Italian’s unforced errors, which totaled 16 in the first set. Despite the setback, Cobolli rallied to win the tiebreak and take the first set. The second set saw a tight exchange, with Kecmanovic breaking Cobolli’s serve to take a 4-3 lead and ultimately secure the set, forcing a decisive third set. In the final set, Cobolli demonstrated resilience, overcoming a 1-3 deficit to win five consecutive games and clinch the match. His powerful serve was a key factor, as he recorded 13 aces compared to Kecmanovic’s 7. However, Cobolli’s unforced errors totaled 36, slightly fewer than Kecmanovic’s 37. The Italian’s ability to leverage his forehand speed proved critical in securing the victory. Cobolli expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, “I’m really happy, it was a tough match, but I played very well. There’s still one match left (this Saturday) and I’m going to give it my all to fight for the title. Thanks to the crowd who also supported me throughout the match.” His focus now shifts to the final, where he aims to extend his hard-court success and claim his first ATP title.#flavio_cobolli #miomir_kecmanovic #abierto_mexicano_telcel #hsbc #acapulco

Retired World Series Champion Ready for One Last Ride In WBC Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher James Paxton, 37, is set to make his final professional pitching appearance in the World Baseball Classic after retiring from Major League Baseball following an injury-plagued career. Despite missing significant time in his final years with the league, Paxton will represent Team Canada in the tournament, marking the end of his 11-year MLB journey. Paxton’s MLB career was marked by frequent injuries, which limited his playing time in recent seasons. Between 2020 and 2022, he appeared in five games or fewer each year, bouncing between teams including the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. His most notable achievement came in 2024 when he helped the Dodgers secure their first World Series title in franchise history. Though Paxton’s MLB career has concluded, he will return to the mound for Team Canada in the WBC. Mike Vorel of The Seattle Times noted that Paxton’s career was “pocked with injuries,” yet he compiled a 73-41 record with a 3.77 ERA and 1,005 strikeouts across 177 starts. After retiring in 2024, Paxton spent over a year away from the game before accepting his invitation to join Team Canada. Team Canada’s WBC campaign begins with a pool play matchup against Colombia, followed by a game against Panama. While Paxton is not scheduled to start either match, he is expected to pitch in one of the tournament’s later games, providing a fitting finale to his professional career. The decision to include him in the roster underscores his experience and value to the team, even as he prepares to step away from the sport. Paxton’s participation highlights the competitive nature of the WBC and the opportunities it provides for players seeking to make a final impact on the global stage.#world_baseball_classic #james_paxton #los_angeles_dodgers #team_canada #mike_vorel